Apple begins App Store defense in Epic antitrust fight

Apple Inc. began Monday to present its case in the closely watched antitrust trial with Epic Games Inc. — a defense that will include testimony from Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook.

Epic already has presented witnesses for two weeks in federal court in Oakland, California. First up on the witness stand for Apple is Phil Schiller, an Apple Fellow who runs the App Store and previously was its senior vice president of worldwide marketing for decades.

Schiller is a smooth, technologically-savvy speaker who made his mark as Apple’s top spokesman for product announcements. He’s known as Apple’s chief defender and guards the company’s brand with passion.